Director. Choreographer. Founder. Arts Leader.
Rebecca Harman is an arts leader, educator, community builder, and former professional dancer whose work has helped shape the cultural landscape of Metro Atlanta through dance education, nonprofit leadership, early childhood arts programming, and community-centered arts initiatives.
She is the founder of Neighborhood Ballet,Rise City Dance, Kidwonder Preschool for the Arts, and Vesper Theatre, organizations that collectively serve artists, students, families, and audiences throughout Georgia.
Photography by Dustin Chambers
The Journey
Rebecca's journey in the arts began as a young dancer in Georgia, where she experienced firsthand the power of strong local arts communities and mentorship. She went on to perform professionally with Miami City Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, Ballet Arizona, and as a freelance artist. Those years of professional training and performance instilled in her a deep appreciation for artistic excellence, discipline, and the transformative role the arts can play in people's lives.
After returning to Georgia, Rebecca recognized a need for accessible, high-quality dance training in her own community. In 2016, she founded Neighborhood Ballet with a simple vision: to create a welcoming environment where students could receive exceptional dance education while developing confidence, discipline, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
What began as a small neighborhood program has grown into a thriving organization serving approximately 1,200 students annually across Metro Atlanta.
As Neighborhood Ballet grew, Rebecca saw a need for additional artistic opportunities for advancing dancers and emerging artists. In response, she founded Rise City Dance, a nonprofit youth dance company dedicated to mentorship, artistic development, and the creation of new work.
Through Rise City Dance, young performers collaborate with professional choreographers, engage in creative processes, and present meaningful performances that connect audiences with the power of dance. The organization has become known for its commitment to artist development, community engagement, and innovative programming.
Neighborhood Ballet and Rise City Dance dancers performed before audiences of more than 10,000+ people this season.
Rebecca's commitment to arts access extends beyond dance education and performance. She is also the founder of Kidwonder Preschool for the Arts, an arts-integrated early childhood education program built on the belief that creativity, movement, music, and visual arts are essential components of childhood development. Through KidWonder, she has expanded her vision of arts education to reach children during some of the most formative years of their lives.
Arts aren’t a subject here. They’re an integral part of the day.
Most recently, Rebecca founded Vesper Theatre, a new performing arts venue and creative hub in East Point, Georgia.
Through Vesper, she hopes to support artists, educators, nonprofits, and community organizations by providing affordable space for performances, rehearsals, classes, and creative collaboration. The project reflects her longstanding commitment to building sustainable cultural infrastructure and ensuring that artists have the resources they need to thrive.
Under her leadership, Neighborhood Ballet and Rise City Dance have collaborated with organizations such as the High Museum of Art and the Atlanta Public Library, bringing dance into public spaces and making artistic experiences accessible to broader audiences.
Rebecca holds a Master of Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University and is a School of American Ballet National Visiting Fellow. She is passionate about mentorship, leadership development, and helping young artists discover not only what they can achieve, but who they can become through the arts.
She lives in Atlanta with her husband and three children and continues to teach, create, and advocate for the arts in Georgia.